I’d like to thank you all for sticking with me through thick and through thin and through thirty (alliteration alert) passionate, sweaty, love-filled chapters of my rip-roaring Harlequin-meets-Green Acres romance novel. I’m having such fun sharing it with you. And though we got as far as the proposal in the latest installment, we’re really just gettin’ warmed up. (I just heard half of you say the word “ugh.” Admit it.)

Part of the fun of sharing the stories of my early days with Marlboro Man is that I can remember so vividly everything about that time.

Here was the house where Marlboro Man lived while we were dating. We call it The Lodge. We moved into a different house together after we were married and have sinced used The Lodge as a guest house for visiting friends or relatives.

This is the kitchen where I prepared Marlboro Man a feast of Linguine with Clam Sauce for the very first time. It was also the kitchen where I prepared Marlboro Man a feast of Linguine with Clam Sauce for the very last time. Funny thing is, they happened on the same day. This is also the kitchen where I broke down crying after both running over my beloved dog and breaking it off with James, my California boyfriend, who had flown in to see me that day despite my pleas for him not to come. I’d known Marlboro Man a matter of days. God love him for not running far and fast away from me.

It was a really ugly cry, too.

Here’s the table where Marlboro Man and I shared our home-cooked-because-there-were-no-restaurants-anywhere-to-be-found dinners together. And it was in this very place that I took my first bite of meat in over seven years. And the place I decided my days as a vegetarian were over.

Here’s the guest bathroom where I powdered my nose and applied fresh layers of Clinique Naturally Glossy Mascara and Bobbi Brown lipstick during our dates, because I wanted to look fresh and vibrant at all times.

This is the view from the back porch, where Marlboro Man and I sat together night after night, staring off into the nothingness and talking and hugging and smooching a lot. It was also the place Marlboro Man first uttered the words “I love you” to me, not two weeks after our first date. He wasn’t afraid.

Fun Fact: See that house closer to the barns? That’s where Cowboy Josh lives.

Here’s the long hallway that leads to the bedrooms.

Here’s one of the guest bedrooms. They’re cozy and quaint.

And this? This is the living room, where in the early days of our romance Marlboro Man and I watched countless submarine movies together, curled up in each other’s arms. It was the place I first threw caution to the wind and returned the sentiment “I love you.” The next day, Marlboro Man proposed.

The Lodge has always been a special place for me.

And now, I need to tell you something.

This is the living room now:

It looks a little different.

Oh, and here’s the hallway leading to the bedrooms. It looks a little different, too.

To tell you the truth, I don’t even know what this is. Oh, wait—see that yellow scaffold? That’s in the quaint and cozy little bedroom I showed you earlier.

After twiddling our thumbs for a long, long time, Marlboro Man and I have begun the total remodel of The Lodge. It’s been in need of innumerable under-the-surface repairs for some time, and besides that, we have some fun things we ultimately want to do with it, things that I’ll share with you guys, of course. And though it’s a little bittersweet to walk through the bare bones of the early stages of our life together, it’s also exciting to smell the sawdust in the air. And truth is, there’s something so hopeful about a sledgehammer.

Who said that? Nietzsche?

Anyway, if you’re interested, I plan to share the detailed progress of The Lodge project right here as it unfolds. I’ll be discussing the plans, the hurdles, the glitches, and the fun, and I’ll be relying on you (as always) for opinions and perspective. There will be Polls! Lots and lots of Polls! And you’ll be choosing colors, tiles, and styles of Buddhas right along with me. Because let’s face it: I really don’t know much about the different styles of Buddhas available on the market. Tile, either.

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515 Comments

201

Maz On Monday, March 3 at 9:00 am

Ooooh is this for people to come and stayy?????? p.s you know in the first picture of the long corridor that leads to the bedrooms? Whats that very Ewing’esque/Dallas style picture on the wall on the left?? Its very Jock, Bobby JR and errrrr…what was Lucy’s Father called…..

I’m totally smelling a B&B and can see the little man playing with the punks and being shown the critters..and hubby and I feasting on a Pdub dinner followed by a night on the porch…ooooo this is gonna be good!!

…Hello Ree! Love the new header – too cute! Will you be teaching us how to do those too in your Photoshop class?

…We are going thru a remodel here too. Right now our toilet is on our front porch, we kid our neighbors and tell ‘em that we’re gonna move it out by the pond so folks have a place to sit while they’re fishing…lol ;o) Right now when we open the front door to greet someone we say, “Welcome to the Clampetts!”…:o)

…Love the lodge – thanks for sharing! Love the punk on the heater too, for some strange reason when I saw the photo I thought, “to Infinity and beyond!” You know, Buzz Lightyear…lol ;o)

Oooh will that place get high speed internet?? heheheh I got four playmates for your kids! hehehe WOW that is a beautiful house even just bones!

213

zannie On Monday, March 3 at 9:09 am

Wow! That is amazing! What fun to watch it unfold. As a guest who has been there – I thought it was great before! I cannot imagine what it will be like when you finish. I will enjoy following the transformation.

214

Terri in Iowa On Monday, March 3 at 9:10 am

Oh I love home renovation projects…I am a HGTV junkie. This will be a fun journey to go on with you. Best of luck with everything!

215

Melanie On Monday, March 3 at 9:10 am

I would love to see pictures of your house. It must be quite something. I think the lodge is great. I would have lived there. I am sure it is four times bigger than my house.

Keep sending us pictures!!!

216

Natalie in TX On Monday, March 3 at 9:11 am

Can’t wait! Would you accept Starbucks coffee as payment for a stay at The Lodge?

217

Dot O On Monday, March 3 at 9:12 am

Love rennovations. Can’t wait to observe the progress, Ree. The lodge looked gorgeous before but I’m sure it will be awesome when you’re finished.

Happy new week, Ree!!!

218

trimom On Monday, March 3 at 9:13 am

Very exciting stuff! Lucky you that you can have all the fun of remodeling without having to live it in. I just recently completed a remodel of my kitchen/family room – tore everything out to the studs and subfloor. It was hell! But I had so much fun watching the transformation of a horrible, 70′s chef-unfriendly kitchen into my dream kitchen. I will definitly participate in your polls and can’t wait to see what you will do with your new lodge!

I’m reading and thinking what a charming place, except maybe for that bathroom, and then you show us the demolition! Anyway, I’m in for voting on finish materials. Bring it on! I lived through a complete kitchen renovation, a major addition, and we just moved into a house we had custom built. However, I’m not completely burnt out on looking through dozens (hundreds? thousands?) of samples. And I’m particularly good at spending someone else’s money .

Oh what fun! I can’t wait to see what you do with the place. Just promise you won’t touch that beautiful stone fireplace!

227

Jeri On Monday, March 3 at 9:24 am

If I ever win one of your contests, all I want for my prize is a week at the lodge. OK, maybe meals included, like your rolls for breakfast, maybe MM’s sandwich for lunch, and mmmm, let’s see, you can surprise me for dinner. I promise I won’t leave the lodge (Except for the porch area), get in the way of the mustang feed, or the cattle round-up. I’ll help with your laundry and we can do girlie things together, if you want, at the lodge. We could paint our nails, watch chick flicks, etc.

If you want to just go ahead and call me the winner of your next contest, I’m fine with that. Hey, I’ll make you a quilt as a thank you gift. How about that.

Jeri

228

Jeri On Monday, March 3 at 9:24 am

Oh, and today is my birthday. That would be present enough. Really. I’m good with that.

Jeri

229

Jan On Monday, March 3 at 9:25 am

Count me in, Ree!! And PLEASE remember I’m the one who hasn’t been away from her son aside from one time since he was born 4 years ago and I really need a break so can I be first to stay in the lodge? Pretty please?? I know I’m begging, but that’s what you do when you’re as desperate as I am!

230

bboss On Monday, March 3 at 9:28 am

Great. Now yet another reason to slack off at work. Wait, since I work in architecture, maybe it would be considered work related!?

231

Beverly On Monday, March 3 at 9:28 am

Just don’t let anybody talk you into “neutrals”. It seems to be the thing. Color, we all need color around us. Who wants to live in neutral anyway??

What a gorgeous lodge, but that view…oh, that view.(And I’m not talking about Josh’s house.) I am just taken by that long stretch to the horizon, something city dwellers never, ever experience. It must be like looking over out over the ocean, with a view that changes every day, depending on the weather.

This is going to be fun to watch. I’m about to renovate a tiny cabin next to our cottage in the Laurentians, but it could probably fit in that spare bedroom.

Oh, and please tell me that bathroom is going to be renovated as well…not that there’s anything wrong with it, exactly.

Love the new banner!

233

Leigh Ann in KS On Monday, March 3 at 9:28 am

Oh how fun!!! I can’t wait to watch it all unfold. Are you getting all new furniture too? I do love the cowboy comforters in the guest room though… don’t get rid of those!

The lodge looks like a perfect place for a quilting/knitting/sewing retreat.

if this means i can one day come stay on a real ranch with nothing but silence and stars for a few days, talk away!!!!! i’m dead serious. i’ll even offer up an eight-year-old boy to help castrate something as a way of payment.

I’m in for sure. Love, hearing about other people’s home improvement projects and I like ours when they’re done. All those memories on the floor in sawdust, but don’t worry you have them in your heart and on your blog!

I’m sitting on the porch for this one. Interior decorating is not my forte.

While I’m sittin here could you raise the ceiling on this covered porch? I’d be able to soak in the vast beauty surrounding me, just a little better. If not I’d enjoy a lemonade while I’m sittin’ here.

Oh and I love your new header the upside down bunny makes me giggle.

241

Stampin' Girl On Monday, March 3 at 9:37 am

I’m with you all the way…love the polls! Can’t wait to see all the progress! I agree, it was lovely before, so I can’t wait to see what “we” will get to halp you decide!
In your spare time…what do you say to a gardening segment…? You talk about planning yours…would love to see what all you do foodwise, as well as flowers! Just a thought!
Have a good day, Ree. Thanks for sharing!

242

Rachel On Monday, March 3 at 9:38 am

I cannot wait to see what happens to the lodge…Are you going to have anymore kids?

243

Chris On Monday, March 3 at 9:40 am

Am I the only one who was kinda hoping for a poll on the “So who’s with me?” question?

I would love to have had a nice home like that before you started remodeling it. Heck we would come live in it now and work on the Ranch to fulfill my husbands dream of getting back into the Ranching. He grew up on a Ranch in Wyoming (a little speck compared to yours) now we live in California with our 4 kids and he wants to go back to Ranching so bad. His family is still Ranching in Wyoming, we just can’t find work that can take us back. K, so I babbled a little too much. We are excited to see what you do with the place.

249

JessieJ On Monday, March 3 at 9:51 am

What about that picture hanging in the hallway? Looks like a family cowboy ranch painting?

And sign me up for decorating someone else’s house with someone else’s money/hard labor

You sure know how to throw a party!

250

rdennis On Monday, March 3 at 9:51 am

I guess I’ll just have to find another newer daily blog to read! Borrrrrriiiinnnnngggg!

Like Jenny in KS I am eager to hear more about the intriguing picture in the hall. Can we see a more detailed photo of it? With the story behind it??? I did guess it might be MM, dad, and both brothers.

Rosie On Monday, March 3 at 9:57 am

THANKS REE!!! I was WONDERING if you had started your remodel job since you shared it so long ago!!!
COOL. Just think-YOU are preparing the lodge for YOUR future grandkids!! Cool. I still think you have a couple more kids in you to squeeze out.
Coming from a former home schooler, though NOT one with a 15 passenger van, You haven’t ‘near nuff reached your quota of urchins yet…LOL

lis On Monday, March 3 at 10:01 am

Hell yes lass count me in!! Infact you’re providing me with a brilliant substitute for a programme that I used to watch in Scotland that was all about remodelling and decorating homes and that I’m missing quite a bit!!!!
See, I think this site can’t get any better (grumpily excluding the lack of BH2TW every second of the day ofcourse) and then it does…..what more can I say other than anything my wee self can do to help (I don’t think that sentence even made sense) just give a wee shout!!!!
xx

One of my six year old twins just came up, and upon seeing the first picture commented, “Oh, it’s a hotel!” The same child also liked the green doors in the hallway.

Thanks for including us in the adventure!

261

Lauren (in PA) On Monday, March 3 at 10:09 am

This will be fun…but whatever happened to your bathroom/laundry room remodel?

Did you ever post pics of the end result?

262

Laura On Monday, March 3 at 10:14 am

I look forward to watching the remodel of The Lodge. I hope you do have plans to open the place to the public as a bed and breakfast. I agree with others that have commented, that relaxation (including horseback riding) on a real live working cattle ranch would be great. Especially for another city girl. The best part is I wouldn’t have to travel too far from home to get away from it all.

What fun! Thanks for something new and exciting to look forward to, Ree, that won’t cost me a dime…lol.

264

Cheryl On Monday, March 3 at 10:17 am

I had just thought about this a few days ago, wondering if you’d found a ‘corporate sponsor’ for your remodel, and if we’d get an update – or any ‘say’ in what was going down! Yea for polls!

265

ChristyB in AL On Monday, March 3 at 10:17 am

I loved The Lodge…except for the bathroom. :l I felt a little sad when I saw that you were re-modeling it. But I know you guys will do a great job.
Oh, and i love the new header, too!

266

Green eyes Martha On Monday, March 3 at 10:19 am

Love the new Banner PW. Very cute.

Beautiful lodge. It must be kinda sad to see it change. Good thing you’re taking lots of pictures!

267

Cheryl On Monday, March 3 at 10:21 am

OH YEA! WHERE did the Longhorn come from???? Torment!

268

meme On Monday, March 3 at 10:23 am

I suspect that you are creating a “studio” for all of your cooking and writing….as the punks get bigger, you’ll have less room in the main house for anything but their “stuff”…keep us posted on the progress.

269

BethofVirginia On Monday, March 3 at 10:24 am

Sounds great.

270

paperdiva On Monday, March 3 at 10:26 am

wow. It was so beautiful before, I’ll be excited to see what you do with it now.

271

Ginger On Monday, March 3 at 10:28 am

Oooh, Yay! I am so excited to see it all unfold. I know it will look beautiful.

272

mosheep On Monday, March 3 at 10:29 am

Just let us know when you need any help deciding on stuff and we will all
offer our opinions.

Looked great before-can’t wait to see the finished Lodge.

Denise

273

Jillian On Monday, March 3 at 10:32 am

Awsome, let’s go for it I’m here with you Ree.
Love
Jillian

274

Suzy On Monday, March 3 at 10:34 am

Wow.. that place was gorgeous as it was, can’t wait to see the after photos! This is something I can really sink my teeth into. Can’t wait!! =]

275

WDS On Monday, March 3 at 10:34 am

OMG! can’t BELIEVE it!!!! Put the hottub on an expanded back deck please.

I’m with ya all the way Ree! Can’t wait for the updates on the Lodge.
It’s good to change things every now and then, even if it pulls at our heartstrings a little. But at least you’ve got all those wonderful pics to remind you of how it was.

Ooooh, how exciting! Yay – Can’t wait to see and vote on all the changes

Oh, and can I just offically reserve the first seat to the first lists of guests staying? Pretty please with sugar and a cherry on top?

280

Jennifer On Monday, March 3 at 10:37 am

Ree,
I have only recently discovered your site, like mid last week. I immediately read your love story with your Marlboro Man and … wow… amazing. I’ve had chills running down my spine, I can only imagine how you felt. Yours is a great love story, I can see it being made into a movie. I know I’d see it in a heartbeat. So, who’d play you? Anyway, just wanted to share that I am glad I happened upon your site. I look forward to reading more. And good luck with the lodge… though it was so beautiful before… I can’t imagine how it will turn out!

281

Ann On Monday, March 3 at 10:37 am

I’m with you to the bitter end.
Just ask and you will get all sorts of information.
Great project.

Ahhh remodeling. Been there. Only we had to live in the house. My kitchen was gutted, and we punched out into the backyard to make it bigger & better.

Did I mention that my temporary kitchen was in the garage? That my “dining room table” was my husband’s poker table? That I was 6 months pregnant with boy child? And that everyone who wandered by used the contractor’s port-a-potty? Yeah. Good times.

Oh, PW, you just broke my heart a little bit. In a few small pictures (wonderful back story aside) I had already fallen head over heels for The Lodge. It completely embodied my DREAM HOUSE. Even the view. Now you’ve gone & ruined it! Humph!

The only way I’ll ever be able to forgive you is if you name a new bedroom after me and let me stay in it as often as I wish!

Oh my! that is one big remodel. Not doing it yourselves are you? I hope not.

289

e On Monday, March 3 at 10:51 am

waaaiiiit a miiiinuuuuute…is the lodge gonna be a B&B where us city folk can come and breathe in that country air and be served MM sammies and apple dumplings? Tell me, PW, do you country folk call them dumplins?
I can’t wait to see what you all do with the lodge.

Oh I’m right with ya, Ree. I want to experience it all, the highs, the lows, the agonies of choosing colours and tiles. And pics.

And if you ever decide to rent it out for holidays, put my name right at the top of the list. That’s F-A-S-T-F-I-N-G-E-R-S You should have a Pioneer Woman get together for all (well okay, some ME! ME!) of your readers – just show me the place where you keep the chaps and the cowboy hats, I’ll be just fine.

291

Maria On Monday, March 3 at 10:56 am

Bring it. I’m always happy to share my opinion.

I’m looking forward to reading more chapters of “Black Heels to Tractor Wheels.” If I had rhythm, I would do a happy dance for you.

Can’t wait to see the progress – and here’s crossing my fingers, toes and well – simply hoping you make it a guest lodge open to rent to city slickers who want a taste of country for a week or so.

294

Erica in Canada On Monday, March 3 at 11:03 am

Wow, that is a very gorgeous house! I love how open the living room was, and the kitchen was awesome. I can’t wait to see how you are going to improve on it. Not that I could see it needing it before, but if it was in need of repairs then gutting and starting over is a sure -fire way to know you got it right

And I am so glad that you will let us less fortunate people (= people that don’t have extra houses waiting around to be remodeled) help chose tiles and stuff because, personally, I LOVE DOING THAT.

The Lodge was beautiful as it was but I just can’t wait to see what it’ll look like once you’re done!

What happened to your bathroom, by the way? Did you ever post pictures after it was coompletely re-modeled? Or maybe I just missed them…

296

Susie On Monday, March 3 at 11:05 am

Very exciting! Looking forward to following your progress and hearing about the “new plans”…

297

FrogMom On Monday, March 3 at 11:07 am

Well, my hubby wants to apply to be your IT guy. I think he just wants to come be a rancher, but he knows he’s not qualified for that job at all. If you hire him, I’ll come too. I have about 10 Starbucks within 15 minutes of my house, and I’ll bring you a treat form each and every one. Oh, and I have 4 punks of my own, several of whom we could arrange marriages with to your punks. The little one isn’t my favorite, either, for the record. Nope. No favorites here.

I am so excited to see what you’re doing! We’re in the deepest pit of home remodel right now, too. It’s hideous and I *really* want my laundry room back.

Here I was, all set to type “I’ll be there tonight!” – I was enamored with The Lodge! (and, yeah, I need to escape my own insanities right now) But fortunately, I read on and saw the renovations beginning … phew! It will be interesting to watch the changes … just be sure to leave the porch view where it is.